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State to seek retrial of Roy L. Lyons

October 14, 2008, 10:35 am

By KATHY HEDBERG
of the Tribune

GRANGEVILLE — The Idaho Attorney General’s Office plans to refile attempted kidnapping charges against a former Kooskia resident whose jury trial ended two weeks ago in a hung jury.

Kriss Bivens Cloyd, a spokeswoman for the attorney general, said Tuesday that a status conference has been set for Oct. 23 to discuss the felony case against Roy L. Lyons, now living in Homedale. At that time, Bivens Cloyd said, it is the intention of the attorney general to reschedule a second jury trial on the same charge.

Lyons, 42, was charged with attempting to coerce Audrey A. Schilling, 22, from Michigan, into his pickup truck on Aug. 5, 2007, with the intent to rape her or force her to perform oral sex.

Schilling was bicycling up the old White Bird Hill during a cross-country trip when she met Lyons, who was parked along the road.

A four-day jury trial earlier this month was declared a mistrial by 2nd District Judge John H. Bradbury after the jury was unable to reach a verdict following nearly six hours of deliberation.

During the trial, Lyons testified that he had stopped on the old White Bird hill to water his hunting dogs and allow them to relieve themselves. During the stop, Lyons said, Schilling approached him and while he was distracted looking after his dogs, she attempted to steal his wallet.

Schilling said she first met Lyons on U.S. Highway 95 at the approach to the White Bird Hill. When she asked directions to White Bird, Schilling said Lyons directed her to the old highway, which eventually winds back toward Grangeville.

She ran into Lyons a second time on top of the grade, and during a brief conversation Schilling said he demanded she get into his pickup truck and told her he would not release her until after she had performed oral sex on him.

Two witnesses who saw Schilling shortly after the incident said she appeared terrified.
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Hedberg may be contacted at khedberg@camasnet.com or (208) 983-2326.

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